Newbie Needs Help!!

Wow, this website is so informative. I have been considering WLS for some time now and am finally in a place where I am ready to hit the ground running (or walking as briskly as my out of shape body can carry me!) I moved to ME about 3 years ago and have not to this point gotten a PCP. I am wondering if any of you on track folks can shed some light for me.Do I need to go through a PCP? I have Aetna and they don't require that I have a referral, but I don't know, can I just call the surgeon's office and try to make an appointment? I am sorry to sound so ignorant on the subject, but honest and true, I am a bit uneduacted as to how the whole insurance/doctor thing goes.  Thank you in advance!!

Honey carry yourself on over to a PCP. They will want to be sure your health is good before they do any kind of wls on your. There will be a lot of red tape to go through to get the surgery so its imperative that they know your health is stable enough for you to undergo the surgery. I'm glad I did because there were a couple of issues that needed to be dealt with first.

Where do u live in maine??? yes you have to go thru a pcp before being sent to informational meeting about the wls surgry.

Barb

I don't live in Maine myself but I have a niece that is a school teacher in Portland that has a rich boyfriend.

I'm from Texas, Ft Worth to be exact home of where the legend of the cowboy began.

Hi Amy, my insurance doesn't require a referral either but if you go with Dr. Wolff or Cobeans office (in Portland) they require a referral from your Physician.  So you'd just have to find yourself a regular doctor.  Have them do a regular physical on you and tell them you want WLS and would like a referral to Dr. Wolff or Cobean at Casco Bay Surgery.  Unless you find another doc you want to do your surgery.  I am not sure whether you wanted Lap Band Surgery or Gastric Bypass.  Dr. Wolff prefers the Lap Band and Dr. Cobean preferrs the Gastric Bypass (as a surgery to do)... but he will do bands too.  I know there is a bariatric team at Southern Maine Med as well but last I checked they do not do Lap Bands.  Dr. Wolff is excellent if you want to go the Lap Band route!  I am having my Lap Band done by her on May 30th!  I can't wait.  Anyway... back to the insurance thing.  I had to see my regular doctor and get them to fax over the referral to Dr. Wolff.  Once that happens and there are some things that they will want from your doctor...certain test results, and the referral.  Casco Bay Surgery would send you a packet of info to fill out to get the ball rolling.  It takes awhile to get things going so if you are really serious about it you should get cracking asap.  If you need anymore info just let me know!  Good luck to you! ~Heather